Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-07-03

but / am sorry that l cannot let you 60
there now. My orders are to keep you
both prisoners and to try your uncle by
court martial. The wagon house, nc
went on, quickly, with the two little
rooms on each side of it, has not been
touched by the fire. l will have them
made ready for you, and as soon as the
heat is less you can 20 there;;' and, turning
to the men who had followed him., ne gave
some rapid orders, which W oil them de-
parted to carry n
Still the old man made no comment; he
did not even seem indignant or surprised;
but DOOR Bessie was utterly Frustrated and
stood helpless, not knowing what to say to
This terrible, remorseless man, who stood so
calm and unmoyed there before them.
Frank Muller paused a while to think,
stroking his beard as he did so, then turned
again and addressed the two remaining
men behind him.
"You will keep guard over the pris-
oner ~ indicating SIS Croft" and suffer
none TO- communicate with him by word or
sign. AS o as it is ready you Will
place him in the little room to the left of
the wagon house, and see that he is sup
plied with all he wants. If he escapes, or
conyerses, or is i'll treated, / will hold you
responsible. Do you understand ?"
'tYah, meinheer," was the answer.
Every good: be careful you do not for
get. And now, Miss Bessie, | shall be glad
if you can give me a word alone
mo" said Bessie; mo, / will not leave
my uncle"
81 fear you will have to do that" he
said, with a cold smile. II beg you to
think again. 1t will be very much to your
advantage to speak to me, and to your
uncle's advantage aho. / should advise
you to come"
Bessie hesitated. She hated and mis-
trusted, the man, asshe had good reason to
do, and feared to trust herself alone with
hin.
While she hesitated the two Beers under
whose watch and ward Muller had placed
her uncle came.and stood between him and
her, cutting her off from him. Muller
turned and walked a few paces-ten or so
to the right, and in desperation she fol
lowed him. He halted behind a bushy
orange tree of some eight years growth.
Overtaking him, she stood silent waiting
for him to begin. They were quite close
to the others, but the roaring of the flames
of the burning house was still sufficiently
loud to have drowned 4 much more audi
BILE conversation than theirs.
"What is it you have to say to me?" she
said at length, pressing her hand against
her heart to still it's beating. Her wo-
mans instinct told her what was coming
and she was trying to nerve herself to meet
it.
Miss Bessie" he said slowly, sit is
this. Fol years | have loved you and want
ed to marry you. | again ask you to be my
wife"
"Mr. Frank Muller" she answered, her
spirit rising to the occasion, 81 thank you
for your offer, and the only answer | can
give you is that | once and for all decline
it."
Think" he SAIL, II love you as women
are not often loved. You are always in my
mind by day and by night, too. Every
thing l do, every step | 90 up the ladder,
/ have said and say to myself, ! am doing
it for Bessie Croft, whom / mean to marry
Things have changed in this country. The
rebellion has been successful. 1t was |
who gave the casting vote for it that /
might win you. ! am now 3 great man
and shall one day be a greater. You will
be great with me. Think of what you say"
81 have thought, and ! will not marry
you. You dare to come and ask me to
marry you over the ashes of my home, out
of which you have dragged ME and my
poor old uncle! | hate you, | tell you,
and l will not marry you! l had rather
marry a Kaffir than marry you, Frank Null
Ter, however great you may be"